"I've nothing to put under your head, cousin."
"I'll put patience under it. That, I reckon, is all I have left now. Go, Ella, dear, I can't bear to hear her moan. I'm in no pain, and that wine has quite heartened me."
Ella did as she was bidden. That Mr. Houghton was observant was quickly proved, for he said to Jube, "Take this pillow to that lady yonder. If she declines, say you have your orders, and leave it."
Mrs. Bodine raised herself on her elbow and protested.
"Madam," said Mr. Houghton, "do not deny a helpless man the privilege of doing a little for the comfort of others at a time like this."
"But you have none left for yourself, sir," Mrs. Bodine replied.
"Madam, you can understand what a satisfaction that will be to me under the circumstances."
Mrs. Bodine yielded and admitted to herself that she was much more comfortable. "I reckon the earthquake is doing him good," she thought, "and that the Lord better keep him here a while longer."
"Can't you lift me up a little?" gasped the injured woman to Ella. "Oh, how I suffer, suffer!"
Ella sat down beside her, and gently shifted the pillow so that it came under the wounded back, while the weary head rested against her bosom.